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Sometimes I look at the money I spend on my gym membership every month and wonder if I could achieve the same results if I worked out on my own. I only use the cardio machines on rare occasions, and I don’t attend very many group classes. Most of the time I'm going there to use the weight equipment, like dumbbells and assisted weight machines. While I know that it is possible to get a good workout outside of the gym, you have to be prepared.
I usually go to the gym 2-3 times a week, and I pay $40 per month for that privilege (that’s a $65 gym fee minus the $25 subsidy that I get from my employer), which is something I addressed a few months ago when I asked, How Much Would You Pay to Be Fit? Another gym in my area charges over $80 a month for a single person (and I won’t even go into the really fancy-schmancy clubs that can charge upwards of several hundred dollars for working out in their facility).
I’ve read that gyms across the country have been losing business due to the bad economy. Lots of people are trying to save money. They’re not hiring personal trainers as often, and if they do join a gym they’re more likely to choose a less expensive membership at a gym that doesn’t have all the “extras.”
My only problem is that I’d be worried about a lack of discipline. (Elana Cantor referenced this issue in her post, How Bad Does Your Personal Economy Have To Get Before You Give Up Your Fitness Club Membership?) I’m already accustomed to doing cardio outside of the gym, so that’s not a problem, but when I go to the gym I have a mindset that I’m going to be there on certain days of the week, stay there for a certain period of time, and work a particular muscle set (either upper or lower body).
It’s nice to have all the dumbbells, benches, and assisted-weight machines laid out for me, nice and neat and in one central place. Maybe if I had the same setup in a designated workout room at home, it would be easier -- but I happen to live in a small space, so anything I used would have to be stored somewhere and then pulled out when I needed it.
However, an advantage to switching to non-gym workouts is that it would force me to look outside of my normal routine to stay in shape, and mix things up a bit more. Right now I’m so used to doing the same dumbbell and weight-machine routines, it can be hard to motivate myself to change things up. Also, I could take the money I save and take more of those random classes that I like to try.
After doing a bit of research, I’ve identified some equipment it would be helpful to have at home if I decided to forego the gym (I’m focusing on weight-bearing exercises instead of cardio).
1. Dumbbells/kettlebells
2. Barbell and plates
3. Bench
4. Jump rope
5. Pull-up bar
6. FlexBand (an industrial-strength rubber band that can be used to do assisted pull-ups, in addition to other exercises)
7. Regular resistance bands
9. Inflatable stability ball/BOSU
10. Yoga/Pilates mat
11. DVDs: these aren’t for everybody, but if you like DVDs you can find instruction in all sorts of things (and the variety could be beneficial).
12. CrossFit: although there are specialized gyms you can visit, the workout-of-the-day is posted daily and it’s possible to do it yourself.
13. The YMCA: Alternatively, if you’d still like the option of going to a gym, the YMCA offers income-based pricing. Also, I’ve heard there are no long-term contracts -- just let them know a couple of weeks in advance that you want to cancel, and they won’t draft your bank account the next month.
What do you think? Do you stay fit outside of the gym? If so, what do you do?
Related Reading:
For a great list of links, resources, and ideas about how to maintain Healthy Living on a Budget, check out Cranky Fitness.
Listening After Dark says she’s “generally grossed-out” by gyms and doesn’t want to sweat in the company of strangers. She says, “Who, particularly on a calm, low-cloud, balmy Wyoming evening just under 40 degrees, would choose to spend the evening in a loud, bright gym whose windows are dripping with
